podcast #9: pinging the universe

In this episode, Matt and I discuss Facebook and Twitter. I also misuse the word “demographic”, overuse the words “literally” and “honestly”, and make up a whole new word — “foresaw” for the past tense of “foresee”.  There, now I don’t have to tweet about it!

We graciously accept requests for future topics, so leave a comment if you have something you are dying for us to dissect.

[Edited to add: A kind commenter pointed out that "foresaw" is a word after all! Serves me right for using a pocket dictionary offline.]

clarified

Most of my post ideas today centered around how fed up I am with the lack of personal responsibility in this town, how bummed out my job makes me sometimes, blah blah blah. Then I read this amazing post by Maurice Clarett, particularly this line: “Do not allow anyone to have control of your self esteem.”

My day immediately clarified, and brightened.

secret agent mug

I should stop not-bringing my camera to places; last night’s dinner, homemade by friends in Alameda, was so good that it should have been documented.  I was too busy stuffing my face on duck confit.

Tea is steeping in a mug that was obviously handmade by a child somewhere along the timeline. I do not remember making this mug, but I remember someone telling me in my twenties that I had made this mug, and I believed it.  For all I know, this could be a secret agent mug, lying in wait in my cupboard all these years, only to be activated when the proper mixture of tea, milk, and sugar is applied.

Good thing I can barely fumble my way through tea-making!

What would a secret agent mug do?  Not “What Would Secret Agent Mug Do?” like on the colorful plastic bracelets, but what would its mission be?

Whatever plans it would thwart, it is allowing a particularly gentle sunset grace the Sunset right now, and so I allow it one more day as a mere mug.

what you really need

Okay, enough of that political crap. Here is what you really need today:

1. A Bumpy Ride Bag from Zola Jones: because all other messenger bags want to be the one that closes with an actual repurposed seatbelt! If you don’t have the awesome Chicago hookup like I do, visit the Zola Jones Etsy shop.
2. A cat who loves tissue paper like nothing else in the world.
3. The fourth episode of “Dollhouse”.  I think it’s getting better. And really, did anyone like “Buffy” or “Angel” right away?
4. Vitamin D. (Insert prerequisite seventh-grade joke here, and a “that’s what she said” for good measure.) I meant sunshine!
5. Brilliant spam like this one: Become perpetuum mobile of love.
6. A nap. The end.

dear hissyfit fussypants

To the current political naysayers regarding the American economy: we tried your way. For years, decades even. It did not work. Now someone is trying something else to keep the capitalist machine running. If you think this is socialism, you had best sit down in front of a dictionary.

You want me to buy American? I do, when the product is worth a good goddamn. But none of us can continue to have the standard of living to which we have grown accustomed, shitty American products or no, so here is a thought: stop losing your tiny minds over the fact that the only constant is change.

And no, this is not directed at fiscal conservatives. This is directed at everyone.  You too.  Everyone who whinges about how everything is in the toilet: what are you doing about it?  Really, tell me. I want to know.

From here, I see a lot of panic and a lot of negativity, and since when did either of these fix the world?

greatfruit

Once I overheard someone talking about eating great fruit, with the accent on “great”. I realized a few sentences in that he said “grapefruit” but it never tasted like grapes to me, so greatfruit it is.

Today’s surprise treat from a coworker is a greatfruit and prawn salad with peanuts, almonds, onions, dried baby shrimp, Vietnamese mint, and cassava chips on the side. It is sweet, tangy, spicy, and every bit as delicious as it sounds.  I am once again indebted to this very good cook who knows so many gluten-free dishes.

I am bouncing back from the stomach bug, and bouncing indeed as I catch up with work that crouches in wait around every corner. Boing, boing, boing. I love being busy.

The rest of it is a disorganized crowd. People dissatisfied this soon with Obama as President should ask themselves how long it has taken them to acclimate to a new job. I wonder if Prop 8 will be overturned. I read that the 38-Geary spends more time stopped than it does in transit. We are almost done watching the third season of “Battlestar Galactica” and I have no idea where it is going. I won a goldfish at a fair once and named him Fred. I still haven’t finished that short story because I don’t know what happens next. Anything could happen.

Today the light in the library is subdued silver.

I like the word “microfiche” too much.

Lunch has ended.

the state of the gut

Since I am currently struggling with a stomach bug, and quickly approaching my first gluten-free anniversary, a “state of the gut” address seemed appropriate. On 23 March 2008, I began a gluten-free diet to alleviate gluten intolerance, possibly Celiac Disease. (I say “possibly” because I have not yet been able to go back on gluten so I can be formally tested.  Ingesting gluten for a month would certainly mean more sick days than I can take right now.)

Due to my diet, I have rediscovered my love of cooking, though grocery shopping — while less confusing and overwhelming — is still frustrating. I have lost the taste for cookies and cakes, but still yearn for dishes like biscuits and gravy from Boogaloo’s and focaccia from Arizmendi. Despite how much I disliked Whole Foods before this whole thing started, it has been a place of gluten-free miracles.  Trader Joe’s has been excellent as well; tonight, FunkyPlaid stopped by one on his way home and brought me all sorts of gluten-free goodies.

While in Scotland last autumn, I feasted on Sainsbury’s “Freefrom” line of breads, and am baffled that no American grocery stores carry a line of gluten-free baguettes, naan, and English muffins. Bob’s Red Mill has a tasty line of bread mixes, however, many of which I have baked and enjoyed. Amy’s Kitchen has some tasty gluten-free frozen pizzas, and Mariposa Baking makes the best biscotti I have ever eaten.  Nothing comes close to Freefrom, though.

Dining out is still enjoyable, but not the experience it once was. Everything on each menu must be scrutinized, and at first I was fairly embarrassed about being That Kind of diner, asking all sorts of questions about what I used to regard as magicians’ secrets.  No longer can I glimpse an ingredient or a sauce and order solely on whim.  Brunch is a particular wheat-laden obstacle I avoid whenever possible.

Now to the good news: with the exception of a compromised immune system, I am physically and emotionally healthier than I have been in years.  While I still have headaches from time to time, I no longer have migraines.  My moods swing normally … or as normal as I get, anyway.  Insomnia is the exception instead of the rule.  The gluten-free diet is not the only source of my newfound health: each day, I take a multivitamin, a calcium supplement, and an iron tonic called Floravital recommended to me by my friend Kirsten that has done wonders.  Just today I started taking PhytoPharmica’s Probiotic Pearls in order to boost the useful bacteria in my gut. I feel great when I exercise, but struggle to keep a routine when I fall ill.

I have a ways to go with this new life, but as I write this I realize how far I have come.  Luckily, I have an incredibly supportive partner, family, friends, and coworkers, so I know I am not doing this all alone. The Internet has been a great resource for me over the past year, not only to educate myself on medical issues but also to learn from people living with Celiac Disease. I owe a great deal to Shauna of Gluten-Free Girl and Kelly of The Spunky Coconut, whose positivity and innovation inspire me to rise above the day-to-day setbacks.  I aspire to gain grace and peace about this part of my life.